WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will use artificial intelligence to generate summaries of unread messages from multiple chats. The feature, known as multi-chat AI summaries, aims to provide users with a quick overview of who has messaged them and a concise gist of the content, without needing to open each chat individually.
How the Multi-Chat AI Summaries Work
According to reports from WABetaInfo, the feature will be integrated directly into the WhatsApp interface. When users have several unread messages, they will see a summary card that lists the contacts or groups that have sent messages, along with a brief AI-generated summary of the key points from those messages. This is designed to help users prioritize their responses and stay updated even when they are busy.
The summaries will be generated by Meta's generative AI technology, which analyzes the text of the unread messages and produces a short, coherent summary. The feature is expected to respect user privacy by processing messages locally on the device, though some processing may occur on Meta's servers for complex summaries.
Benefits for Users
- Time-saving: Users can quickly grasp the essence of multiple unread messages without opening each chat.
- Better prioritization: The summaries help identify urgent or important messages at a glance.
- Reduced notification overload: Instead of multiple notifications, a single summary provides an overview.
The feature is particularly useful for users who receive a high volume of messages daily, such as those in group chats or business conversations.
Availability and Rollout
As of now, the multi-chat AI summaries feature is under development and is expected to be rolled out in a future update of WhatsApp. It is likely to be available on both Android and iOS platforms. Meta has not announced an official release date, but beta testing may begin soon.
This move aligns with Meta's broader strategy of integrating generative AI across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. WhatsApp has already introduced AI-powered features like sticker generation and chat suggestions, and this new summary feature is another step toward an AI-enhanced messaging experience.
Users interested in trying the feature early can join the WhatsApp beta program, though availability may be limited to select regions initially.
